To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of treating Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments as income for means-tested benefit assessments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of treating Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments as income for means-tested benefit assessments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in what way defined contribution pension pots held in drawdown are taken into account when determining entitlement to means-tested benefits; and what guidance his Department provides to pensioners on the relationship between pension drawdown decisions and benefit eligibility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in what way defined contribution pension pots held in drawdown are taken into account when determining entitlement to means-tested benefits; and what guidance his Department provides to pensioners on the relationship between pension drawdown decisions and benefit eligibility.

Civil compensation is disregarded from pension credit entitlement calculations, but military compensation is not. I know that the new Minister for Veterans is sympathetic to addressing this injustice, so I wonder whether he would meet me and the family of Pauline Cole—a veteran who was fighting to address this matter—in order to put it right.

Civil compensation is disregarded from pension credit entitlement calculations, but military compensation is not. I know that the new Minister for Veterans is sympathetic to addressing this injustice, so I wonder whether he would meet me and the family of Pauline Cole—a veteran who was fighting to address this matter—in order to put it right.

I will meet with the hon. Gentleman and the family.

I will meet with the hon. Gentleman and the family.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the impact of treating Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments as income for means-tested benefit assessments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the impact of treating Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments as income for means-tested benefit assessments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the impact of treating Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments as income for means-tested benefit assessments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the impact of treating Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments as income for means-tested benefit assessments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of means testing PIP to ensure targeted support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of means testing PIP to ensure targeted support.

The increased PIP costs are expected to add an extra £5 billion to the welfare budget this year. As the TaxPayers’ Alliance has highlighted, the number of households earning over £100,000 and getting PIP has doubled to 200,000 claimants. Will the Minister make an assessment of the potential merits of means-testing PIP to ensure targeted support?

The increased PIP costs are expected to add an extra £5 billion to the welfare budget this year. As the TaxPayers’ Alliance has highlighted, the number of households earning over £100,000 and getting PIP has doubled to 200,000 claimants. Will the Minister make an assessment of the potential merits of means-testing PIP to ensure targeted support?

Together with disabled people, we are co-producing a review of PIP to ensure that it is fair and fit for the future. The review’s terms of reference reflect the view of successive Governments that PIP should be a non-means-tested cash benefit for people both in and out of work, because anybody can incur additional costs as a result of long-term ill health or disability.

Together with disabled people, we are co-producing a review of PIP to ensure that it is fair and fit for the future. The review’s terms of reference reflect the view of successive Governments that PIP should be a non-means-tested cash benefit for people both in and out of work, because anybody can incur additional costs as a result of long-term ill health or disability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will consider exempting compensation awarded to veterans for service-related (a) illness and (b) injury from means testing for benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will consider exempting compensation awarded to veterans for service-related (a) illness and (b) injury from means testing for benefits.

Report stage. New clause 1, discussed with new clauses 2 to 24, debated and withdrawn. New clause 4 negatived on division (164 to 311). New clause 11 negatived on division (104 to 391). New clause 22 negatived on division (74 to 323). Amendment 11 negatived on division (171 to 322). Amendment 2 agreed to. Bill reported as amended. Third reading. King's consent signified. Agreed to on question. Bill passed.

Report stage. New clause 1, discussed with new clauses 2 to 24, debated and withdrawn. New clause 4 negatived on division (164 to 311). New clause 11 negatived on division (104 to 391). New clause 22 negatived on division (74 to 323). Amendment 11 negatived on division (171 to 322)....

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

The amendments I have tabled concern the right of British nationals to engage in foreign wars. What brought them about is reports that British nationals have been involved in Israel Defence Forces activities in Gaza and other places. To prevent this from happening in future, my amendments would amend the...

The amendments I have tabled concern the right of British nationals to engage in foreign wars. What brought them about is reports that British nationals have been involved in Israel Defence Forces activities in Gaza and other places. To prevent this from happening in future, my amendments would amend the...

The Bill has four key themes. First, it creates the Defence Housing Service, which is a fantastic move forward; it will change for a generation how our people are looked after in service family accommodation. Secondly, it will make major improvements to our service justice system, which is another fantastic...

The Bill has four key themes. First, it creates the Defence Housing Service, which is a fantastic move forward; it will change for a generation how our people are looked after in service family accommodation. Secondly, it will make major improvements to our service justice system, which is another fantastic...

On reservists, I am sure that the hon. Member will be aware that the maximum age of recall is being increased from 60 to 65, and the threshold for mobilisation is being lowered. The problem in Northern Ireland is that our reservists are overwhelmingly employed in civilian jobs in our...

On reservists, I am sure that the hon. Member will be aware that the maximum age of recall is being increased from 60 to 65, and the threshold for mobilisation is being lowered. The problem in Northern Ireland is that our reservists are overwhelmingly employed in civilian jobs in our...

As we progress the Bill collectively, we could, in some areas, look at giving better support to employers, but it is worth being clear that the Bill looks to extend service from anything from four to 16 years. It allows for the return to service of ex-military personnel until they...

As we progress the Bill collectively, we could, in some areas, look at giving better support to employers, but it is worth being clear that the Bill looks to extend service from anything from four to 16 years. It allows for the return to service of ex-military personnel until they...

It is a privilege to follow the hon. Member for Birmingham Selly Oak (Al Carns), who I may refer to again in a few minutes. It is important to place on record the respect he has engendered across the House by resigning on an important issue of principle relating to...

It is a privilege to follow the hon. Member for Birmingham Selly Oak (Al Carns), who I may refer to again in a few minutes. It is important to place on record the respect he has engendered across the House by resigning on an important issue of principle relating to...

I remind the Opposition spokesperson that new clause 1, which I tabled, would prevent the Secretary of State authorising the entry of members of visiting forces from states whose commanders are subject to International Criminal Court arrest warrants or proceedings of the International Court of Justice. I do not see...

I remind the Opposition spokesperson that new clause 1, which I tabled, would prevent the Secretary of State authorising the entry of members of visiting forces from states whose commanders are subject to International Criminal Court arrest warrants or proceedings of the International Court of Justice. I do not see...

I am old school, and I was taught that in a debate, it is polite to refer to the Member who moved the lead amendment. That is what I was seeking to do. As I think the House would realise, I am making a very different point and a different...

I am old school, and I was taught that in a debate, it is polite to refer to the Member who moved the lead amendment. That is what I was seeking to do. As I think the House would realise, I am making a very different point and a different...

In the context of the armed forces covenant and all the great work it does for military families, does my right hon. Friend agree that the Royal British Legion also does important work in this regard? Will he join me in saying thank you to the Royal British Legion in...

In the context of the armed forces covenant and all the great work it does for military families, does my right hon. Friend agree that the Royal British Legion also does important work in this regard? Will he join me in saying thank you to the Royal British Legion in...